2012 FB
 
Tech Defense Too Much for Tulsa


 

  
Updated Dec 30, 2004 21:53:04
Tech Defense Too Much for Tulsa


Boxscore

RUSTON - Because of his teams' inconsistent play on the offensive end this year, Louisiana Tech head coach Kurt Budke knew his Lady Techster squad had to rely on defense if they wanted to defeat Tulsa.

And that's exactly what Tech (5-4, 1-0 WAC) did Thursday night, holding the Golden Hurricane to only 29 percent shooting in a 63-47 victory before 2,427 fans at the Thomas Assembly Center.

Tech constantly double teamed Tulsa forward Jillian Robbins all night long in the post while also putting pressure on the Golden Hurricane guards and the combination was too much to overcome as Tech won its 95th straight regular season conference game at home.

"I thought it was by far our best defensive effort of the year," Budke said. "Tamika Kursh and Ty Moore did a great job on Robbins. Neither one scored well but if those two can take away the best offensive player on the other team out of the game like they did tonight, then they don't have to score."

Robbins, who was the 2004 Western Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year, entered the game averaging 15.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game and shooting 55 percent from the field.

However, under the heavy pressure of the swarming Techster defenders, Robbins hit only 3-of-9 field goals and scored only eight points in 28 minutes of action.

"Instead of guarding our point guard, Tech decided to pull a guard down and double team Robbins in the post," said Tulsa head coach Kathy McConnell-Miller. "They defended Robbins well, and it's always difficult to score in double coverage."

For the game, Tulsa hit only 18 of 63 field goals, 3 of 18 three-pointers and 8 of 17 free throws.

Offensively, Tech jumped out early, scoring the games first eight points in the opening four minutes of play before Tulsa finally got on the scoreboard on a Tandem Mays three-pointer at the 16:07 mark.

Budke pointed to the play of junior center Margaret DeCiman for Tech's good start. The 6-foot-7-inch DeCiman finished the game with a career-high 11 points and four rebounds in 19 minutes of action.

"I thought that Margaret had a lot to do with our good start and our defensive success," Budke said. "She didn't block a lot of shots but Tulsa knew she was in the paint and lurking. Her presence was felt. It was by far her best game as Tech."

After the hot start, both teams cooled off before Tech built an 11-point lead at 24-13 with just over two minutes to play. However, Tulsa finished on a 6-0 run to cut the Techster advantage to 24-19 at the half.

The game remained close early in the second half as Tulsa tied it up at 27-27 on a jumper by Becky Heidotten at the 17:35 mark. Tech led 36-33 at the 13:09 mark of the game before reeling off a 23-3 run over the next eight and a half minutes to grab a commanding 59-36 advantage.

"That run was sparked by easy baskets in transition," McConnell-Miller said. "They got into our passing lanes and forced us to turn the ball over. They made a lot of high percentage shots and gained momentum."

Junior Tasha Crain led Tech with 12 points and five assists, while DeCiman and Lakiste Barkus each added 11 points and Aarica Ray-Boyd scored 10 points. Shan Moore added nine points and a career-high tying 10 rebounds.

Emily Jaskowiak led Tulsa with 12 points.

Tech returns to action Saturday at 6:30 p.m. when its hosts Rice at the Thomas Assembly Center.